*** Thursday Oct. 14th SPECIAL EVENT: FOOTLOOSE with lululemon athletica Grant Avenue. Running a race this season? Nike Women’s? California Half? Not a “runner” but want a workout with an amazing stretch? Come out and join us! This special workout will have you FLYING in your running shoes and feeling your BEST! Join me and lululemon grant avenue for a shake out run and a gentle stretch to get your muscles loose and mind pumped. This complimentary event meets Thursday October 14th, 6pm, at lululemon athletica Grant Avenue (Between Bush and Sutter). For more information or to sign up online: http://lululemonathleticafootloose-efbevent.eventbrite.com/ Or Call: 415.402.0914. Would love to see you all out and have your support – this RUN CLUB is going to ROCK!

For other wonderful community fitness events, check out the lululemon athletica Grant Avenue community online SCHEDULE.

2.) Fearless Fitness Tip Of the Week: Get With The Group!

The real reason I LOVE my job? Sharing workouts with all of YOU. Group Fitness can provide an extremely powerful experience. The energy, community, and positive environment of people together enjoying movement brings me so much happiness. Of course…. you already know that 😉

But can group workouts can bring you more than just a good sweat? Actually YES. Several studies done by Oxford’s Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology, proved that group fitness classes provide a rush of chemicals in the brain that trigger the same responses that have made collective activities like dancing, laughter, and religion enduring aspects of human culture. Researchers took a rowing team and divided them into teams of six. Each performed a series of identical workouts on rowing machines, some alone or in a team. After each workout, a blood-pressure cuff was tightened around the arm of each subject until he reported pain, an indirect method of measuring endorphin levels in the brain. Endorphins – the same chemicals that stimulate “runner’s high” – produce a mild opiate high and create a sense of well-being as well as blocking pain. The rowers’ pain threshold was consistently twice as high after exercising with their teammates as compared to exercising alone, even though the intensity of the workouts was identical.

Now that’s some powerful evidence to get into group fitness! Here are a few other reasons why you might want to consider leaving your solo sweat sessions behind…

Safety and instruction: Correct technique is important in any workout to prevent injury and to maximise results. If you are intimidated by particular equipment, trying a new workout, returning to your routine, or new to the fitness thing, you can learn safe form in a group setting.

Motivation: No doubt about it – your less likely to quit with group fitness. The support, accountability, and environment will keep you motivated and challenge you to push your limits. You’ll find it much easier to show up for your workouts when you have a group cheering you on towards success.

Fitness Friends: Group fitness is a great way to find friends that share similar interests. They will keep you motivated to stick with your fitness and make it even more fun in the process. I’ve found most of my best friends through fitness and continue to find more with each new workout I explore.

Consistency and routine: Classes can be great for those looking to set or keep a workout routine. Providing a well-rounded workout in a specific amount of time will keep you fit within a set time frame.

FUN. The most motivating thing about the group fitness scene? It’s entertaining. With new music, moves, and challenges to explore…. the “fun factor” leaves you consistently wanting more.

3. Fearless Fitness Challenge of the Week: MAKE A NEW FITNESS FRIEND!

This week I challenge you to make 3 new fitness friends. Bond through a hard fitness class, strike up a conversation in the locker room, or share winded words during this week’s RUN CLUB with lululemon grant avenue.

Who knows… you might just meet someone who will make your workout…. or your life…. just a little bit happier.

Cant wait to see you this week for a workout or two…. and let’s make some more fitness friends this Thursday night with LULULEMON GRANT AVENUE!